New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-09
THE VERMONT DISASTER.
THREE MORE BODIES IDENTIFIED.

RAILROAD OFFICIALS TESTIFY BEFORE THE IN
vEsrIGATING COMMITTEE.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT, Feb. 8.-There were
three more identfcations I'D to neon to-day-George
j. Bell, Bellows Falls; Francis Flynn. Worcester,
Mass, and Lewis b. James, OF New Haven, Conn.,
victs OF Saturdays disaster at Woodstock Bridge. All
the bodies were removed from the morgue. The total
number OF persons the train yet learned from any
source was eighty y-four including the employees.
Thirty four are known to be dead and twelve
known TO have to their homes, which, with the
thirtysix wounded. leaves to-day only two missing.
The report that Mrs. Horace Fairbanks, wife of
Governor Fairbanks, OF the victims is
Ous Mrs. Fairbanks 10 at home and was not on board
the ill-fated train.
Persons who have returned to Hartford after
search iof lost friends and relatives complain that they
we're treated with neglect and Indifference by those
who have charge of the morgue that they were put
on with various excuses and Oyertures for settlement
for damages are urged upon them prior to their being
aple to accomplish their mission. Among those who
were here to-day IL search OF missing relatives Peter
Myatt, OF liolyoke, whose tather-n-law, Peter Nc
Lane, oil iio.kton, Quebec, is known to have been
killed, and Joseph ID. Magnet, OF HOly0kt, whose
father was with Mr.. McLane in the rear passenger
coach, aud was, with the latter. burned to death
Alexander shepard of Springfield, Mass,
here, searching tor his fafher--laN, Charles Darenc
OF Rockville, onn.. who his way 10 Sorel, Que
bee. and who in the car with Polly Ariel. one of
tie survivors, aud was doubtless killed. Theophile
Broden OF Nashua, N. H., whose daughter Billed,
has not been able TO identity her body
continued today Baggagemaster Cole employed on
the train which went down, said that the first ntma-
ton of the Trouble at the end of the bridge where
there WAS sharp shock. any theory" said he. is
that the first passenge car was off the track before
reaching the bridge, bu because OF the frozen ground
!an smoothly until the bridge reached when from
The dropping OF the passenger car on to The bIdge IT
depressed th" cOuplers of that letting them apart
then all the folio wing cars on to the bridge of the
track"
Gcorgc Parker, the brakeman, who jumped from the
train just before it reached the bridge testified that
the train going at the rate OF eight miles
an hour al the time, and gave in evidence tue sub
stance of his previous statements regarding his ride TO
the Junction and arousing the people on the way lie
did not return to the week until Yesterday lie re,
memoered seeing the fire fly from the wheels, rails and
spikes as the Carr passed him.
senger on the train and was in the first passenger car
until reached the Junction and then went INTO the
smoker. first felt fhe jerk while on the bridge.
reached for the bellcor but pulled it the wrong way
the bell did not ring went across the bridge and
passed the cars heard cries and saw hre IN the
cars. could not get down the bank at that end, so
returned TO the other end OF the bridge and rolled
down the bank but when reached the shore the fire
had pade a complete circuit OF the and all the
cries hushcd.
Charles Sture, ant, Of Hartford, section man. tes-
tic that he passed the bridge that day before dinner
and defect. lie never knew OF any trouble at
that point. lie helped to relay the track after the
accident The first break from this way was near
from the upper end of the rail. The ball OF the ral
was broken of and the shoulder about halt broken of
He saw no other break in the rail.
Several passenger were examined and gave their
experiences, but nothing OF an important nature was
elected.
Clarence Hutchinson a track walker, testified to
passing the point at which the accident occurred at
1880 o'clock the right before and TO having carefully
examined track his ,tIon which included the
bridge. There no break III the rails at any pont
He thought freight train passed over the bridge be-
tween the time he there and the time OF the acct
deLt.
and tracks and bridge pcrtcci
order.
A. c. Bean. ruadmastcr of the Central Vermont
road was the next witness lie said In part When
com NJ to the bridge three rails torn out OF posi-
ton some being tent The first ra was broken OIL III
feet AMI inches from the south end the whole length
of the rail being 80 ieet The rails rolled at ST.
Albans from blooms bought from Germany, were of
steel aud laid five years ago steel rails are IN
a.e heic that have been rolled twenty years.
think the broken journal il what threw the rear car
the track and tnat from the place OF the brosen
rail TO the bridge IL was held in place by the hawsng
The broken axle Ia C nmon ur-nch journal made
hy the Pullman Company, of Chicago II IA OF wrought
ron tho " heel. pressed by hydraulic pressure The
broken axle on the forward truck OF the rear Pull
man Pilgrim cannot say why the axle broke
White River Junction is the point where all cars are
inspected they next inspected a NOrthicld, iity-
three miles IRON here. then at ST. Albans below here
at Windsor AMI Bellows Falls think the common
practice examining wheels by humping them is
almost wholly use ess because of the material
Superintendent John Mnlligan, OF the Connecticut
River Railroad testified " examined the scene yes
erlay with others If could ascertain the cause
of the accident; made up mind that the axle was
Il, oxen lr.t-do not know the then the wheel
tore the first part oi the rail- and by that cause all
the ears were drawn off 10y this EAR when the bridge
reached In my estim ition the defect IN the rais
which WAS very slight bad part in csusng the acci-
dent"
Superintendent George Todd, of the Northern DiVs,
ION OF the Boston and Lowell Railroad corroborated
the views OF Superintendent Mulllgan regarding the
cause of the accident. james Z. Gordon, master me
chanic and ear builder OF the Concord Railroad. who
had examined the wreck testified likewise
WAS THE ACCIDENT CAUSED By A POOR WHEEL
General Horace Porter. yice-president of Pullmans
Palace Company. said yesterday in reply 10 inquiries
as report that the Vermont railroad disaster
was caused by broken wheel on one Of the Pullman
cars:
have received 10 reports regarding the matter IA such